Rapid decline in pastures has lead to summer pneumonia in stock

Producers are being urged to ensure feeder steers and heifers have been fully vaccinated against Bovine Respiratory Disease as tough conditions impact stock health.

Sheep are showing signs of respiratory disease in saleyards.

Cases of summer pneumonia have flared-up in livestock after the stress of a late burst of hot

weather and a rapid decline into dry and dusty paddock conditions.

The topic has been raised at recent industry field-days and a classic sign of the illness is being seen at saleyards and feedlots with cattle, lambs and sheep presenting with snotty and dripping noses.

Vet and technical adviser for Coopers Animal Health, Jim Walsh said there had been reports of pneumonia symptoms showing up in young feedlot cattle and calves and it was an issue farmers needed to monitor as if treated early most animals recovered quickly.

“There appears to have been a nutritional trigger this season after areas went from having some green feed to a rapid decline in pasture quality and feed availability heading into autumn,” Mr Walsh said.

Elders Killara feedlot manager Andrew Talbot said they were working closely with producers to ensure feeder steers and heifers had been fully vaccinated against Bovine Respiratory Disease, and they were backing this up with an extra treatment dose on induction at the feedlot to try and manage the more severe problem this season.

“We haven’t seen conditions like this for a few years in that we have gone back to a very traditional autumn of very dry and dusty conditions and hot days and cool nights which brings on a lot of BRD,” Mr Talbot said.

“My understanding is there is a lot more BRD showing up in feedlots at the moment.”

Rochester based veterinarian Frankie Coullett said while many people often associated pneumonia with winter it was often a disease which was more prevalent during the summer and autumn months.

“Stresses such as hot weather, dusty and dry conditions and low nutritional intake can allow the pathogens and bacteria already in the respiratory tract of an animal to take affect and it is referred to as summer pneumonia,” Dr Coullett said.

Clinical signs to watch out for include animals becoming lethargic and sitting down a lot, animals separating from the mob, coughing and snotty or dripping noses.

Ms Coullett said the best preventive measure farmers could take was to ensure animals were

receiving adequate nutrition to meet needs.

“Animals most at risk are those struggling to find enough protein and nutrition,” she said.

Severe cases of summer pneumonia can lead to sudden death and some animals would require

veterinary assistance and antibiotics to help them recover.